The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) is seeking expressions of interest from individuals to join its Animal Ethics Committee (AEC). The WEHI AEC is critical in ensuring that all animals involved in medical research are treated ethically and humanely. We are seeking community representatives, defined as Category D members under the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (8th Edition - 2013, updated 2021) (the Code).

Category D - a person not employed by or otherwise associated with the institution and who has never been involved in the use of animals in scientific or teaching activities, either in their employment or beyond their undergraduate education. Category D members should be viewed by the wider community as bringing a completely independent view to the AEC, and must not fit the requirements of any other category.

About the Animal Ethics Committee

The AEC is an independent committee that ensures any research activities involving animals are ethically acceptable, have scientific merit and are justified, and are conducted in accordance with high ethical and welfare standards. Supported by WEHI's Ethics & Integrity team, the AEC reviews, approves and monitors all research projects involving animals. Importantly, the AEC also provides advice on animal welfare and best practice to WEHI researchers; inspects animal facilities; and promotes WEHI's commitment to a best-practice approach to animal welfare.

What does a Category D member do?

• Bring their category-specific perspective to the review of applications for ethics approval;
• Attend 10 scheduled meetings each year, with the possibility of extra-ordinary meetings;
• Contribute to out of session executive reviews;
• Participate in inspections of animal facilities;
• Review compliance-related reports for approved projects;
• Undertake inductions and ongoing professional development.

This is a volunteer position. AEC members receive a stipend to reimburse for reasonable out-of pocket expenses related to the role. Induction and training will be provided to all new members prior to commencement.

Who should apply?

If you are:

• Independent of WEHI and have never been involved in animal care and/or use for scientific purposes
• Able to represent the community perspective on the use of animals for scientific purposes
• Open to different views and willing to contribute to ethical discussions
• Able to commit to reviewing meeting materials prior to each month's meeting
• Able to attend meetings on the fourth Thursday each month at our Parkville campus in Melbourne
• Able to use a computer to work online and by email

How to Apply

Please click "Apply Now" and submit in PDF format:

1. A cover letter telling us why you are interested and how you are suitable for a Category D AEC member
2. A brief CV

to Ethics Coordinator, Ethics & Integrity, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research.

WEHI - Brighter together

WEHI is where the world's brightest minds collaborate and innovate to make discoveries that will help us to live healthier for longer. Our medical researchers have been serving the community for more than 100 years. We bring together people with different skills and experience who are committed to long-term discovery. Our teams of researchers are committed to solving the most complex health problems, making transformative discoveries for cancer, infectious and immune diseases, developmental disorders and healthy ageing.

WEHI is a place where people are able to shine. People who are inquisitive, who are committed, who are passionate. People who want to make a difference. And we are committed to ensuring they have the tools to flourish, personally and professionally. We are a community of researchers, students and professional service staff who work towards achieving discoveries that improve human health. We are driven by collaboration, curiosity and creativity. We are committed to making a positive difference to the lives of people in Australia and around the world. We are WEHI. We are brighter together.

WEHI's commitment to diversity and inclusion

At WEHI we strive to foster a flexible working environment that encourages individual differences and promotes collaboration and creativity. We recognise that talent does not sit within a single identifiable group in our society and that WEHI's ability to shape contemporary scientific thinking and deliver leading professional services relies on a diversity of thought within our organisation. Our action to promote gender equality has been recognised with an Athena SWAN Bronze Award from Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) and we offer a range of support for women researchers.

Our commitment to celebrating diversity and addressing inequities is further demonstrated through our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, Gender Action Plan, Reconciliation Action Plan and our WE-Pride network for LGBTQIA+ staff and students. We actively encourage applications from, people with a disability, culturally, religiously and linguistically diverse people and people with diverse genders and sexualities. Should you require support during the recruitment process due to special needs or consideration, please contact the People and Culture team [email protected] using the subject line: Animal Ethics Committee Member (Voluntary) enquiry via EthicalJobs.

WEHI's commitment to Indigenous employment

WEHI is working to create a future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will be engaged at the scientific frontier, making exciting discoveries and decisions about the future of health in this country, and part of a leading professional services workforce supporting the realisation of these discoveries. We are committed to creating a culturally safe workplace and offering career development and leadership opportunities to First Nations staff and students. We strongly encourage any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply.